A church gathering in Kenya turned into a serious health crisis when more than 100 worshippers required hospitalization for food poisoning symptoms following a Sunday feast.
The celebration, which included a slaughtered cow served to the congregation, led to widespread illness among attendees who were subsequently transported to various medical facilities, including government and private hospitals in the area.
Many of those sickened experienced severe symptoms that prompted family members to rush them to hospitals across the county.
One congregant described experiencing severe headaches and joint weakness, while her children suffered from diarrhea. She took them to the hospital where they are currently reported to be in stable condition.
By Tuesday evening, the situation had escalated with one local health facility becoming overwhelmed by over 40 congregants seeking treatment. With some patients displaying visible signs of distress, public health officers were forced to take emergency action. Three people in more serious condition were transported by ambulance to a larger regional hospital for advanced treatment.
The source of the contamination remains under investigation. Some congregants suspect the meat from the slaughtered bull may have been contaminated, despite reports that it was inspected before the feast. Others believe the maize flour used to prepare ugali (a staple food) during the event might be responsible.
One participant said church members had taken maize from the church to a nearby mill for grinding before using it to prepare the ugali served at the celebration. She raised concerns about possible contamination in the maize.
A local health official stated that his team is working to identify all of those who ate at the event to ensure they receive necessary medical attention. Public health authorities have urged community members to remain vigilant for symptoms and seek immediate treatment if they feel unwell.
Local medical facilities are still admitting affected patients, while health officials conduct their investigation to determine the exact cause of the outbreak. The incident unfortunately transformed what began as a day of celebration into a period of concern and recovery for the affected church community.
Commenting on this article, the nation’s leading food poisoning lawyer said, “There are always dangers when serving food to large groups of people. In situations like this, it is possible that those responsible for the meal were not fully educated on proper food safety.”
